Ahoy mates
The best vacations for us since I ended
up in a wheel chair have been cruises.
If you have not tried it do not be afraid.
Everything is usually available for you and the freedom of sailing is wonderful. Pick a new ship, and check on their accessability. Review the
door width to the cabin and bath and try to be near the elevator. Ships are large self contained cities and are rather spread out. On most trips
you will find 10 to 20 people on the ship in
wheel chairs. We have tried both Princess and
Carnival and have found their newest ships are
very easy to get around. If you get a handi-cap
cabin you should have a roll in shower. The food
the companionship and the magnificent ocean air
make each day a true joy. Depending on your needs
and the docking facility at a given port you
may be able to take shore excursions. However,
they often are tough and some times you need to
use a tender or small boat to go ashore. We don't
usually leave the ship and still have a wonderful time. List any questions or share your travel
adventures in a wheel chair. Bon Voyage Bill from
New Jersey USA

Hi Bill,
Thanks for the information..my wife and I did 9 cruises before a stroke/brain haemorrage put her in hospital for 6 months...we are fighting back and have had 2 hols in an adapted caravan in Scotland. We are due to fly to Palma and then pick up 'Island Escape' for 14 days round the Med.I am quite confident and will let you know how we go on (sail aug 19).the adapted cabins are about 2.5 times as big as the normal cabin so things will be OK I reckon.
I am sure we will get lots of folks interested in the site!

Very best wishes

Coach

Coach
Your August voyage sounds great;
we have never made it over the big pond.
Started sailing in 1976 on The Leonardo
DiVinci and like you have about eight
under our belt. I ended up in the chair
some seven years ago. Since than we have done
Triumph
the Crown Princess (a few times) and the
Ocean Princess. I don't fly so we now
stick to trips out of USA ports. Will try the
brand new Carnival Legend in October for
11 days out of New York to Quebec and back
to NYC. I find of all the vacations we have
tried a cruise works best with the chair.
Did you get a handicap room on the Island
Escape? Be interested in hearing from you
on your return. Eileen and I can be reached
here or at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/
sailingonwheels/ Bill Tuohey New Jersey
USA

.

Yes we have an adapted cabin on 'Island Escape'. It is actually 2.5 time as big as the normal cabin so I am pleased about that. Looking forward to our first cruise (and flight) for over 3 years...we have done mainly Cunard...QE2 and what is now 'Caronia' (used to be 'Vistafjord'. Also done Sea Goddess 1 and 2 and been on Sivler Cloud...whole range of prices, but reckon a good time can be had on less expensive ships and in the right company.Found topaz very good value. but no disabled access.
Best wishes
Coach

yes we do have such a cabin on the ship...it is 2.5 times as big as the normal cabin so it looks good.Nice to catch you Bill and Eileen.
Look forward to swapping notes with you!
Coach

My pc crashed so I did not think my first had been posted!! Ah the joys of the internet!! Coach

Coach
We have not as yet sailed Cunard but hope
to get on the QM2 when she starts sailing
in Jan 2004. She will be the largest afloat
at 150,000 tons and 2620 Pax. Most important
she will have 30 wheel chair cabins. The other
good new for us is several carribean trips
will leave from NYC. Your QE2 leaves for Southhampton from NYC at 5PM. Its very hot
today but Eileen and I may get down to the
river to see her off.
I was curious about your title "coach" is
it your profession, if so what sport? Iam a
retired Judge. Bill

Hi Bill,
Yes I was a Physical Education Lecturer in a local college. The name was given to me by the lads round the 'pub' years ago...I am still an avid sports viewer..tv, local soccer team, and play badminton (singles) two nights a week.

Give the QE2 my regards!!

Coach

Hi Coach
Are you in the final preperation
stages for your cruise? Before you
know it August 19th will be here. Iam
jealous and counting the days till we
sail on October 6th. Still seems too
far away.I found out our ship will be
christened by her godmother Dame Judith
Dench on August 21st in Harwich. She is
the Carnival Legend and is being built
in Finland. Also have spent recent days
studying the QM2 brochure. She looks like
she will be marvelous. Giving some thought
to her January 2004 maiden caribean trip.
Talk about planning ahead. Bill New Jersey